(Aug. 12, 2008) – Working Mother Magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers have named Vinson & Elkins one of the “2008 Best Law Firms for Women.” 

V&E is one of a select group of law firms named to the national list, which appears in the August/September issue of Working Mother. The firm is being recognized for instituting female and family-friendly benefits in five key areas: Workforce Profile; Family Friendly Benefits & Policies; Flexibility; Leadership, Compensation & Advancement of Women; and Development & Retention of Women. 

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Working Mother along with these other fine law firms for our efforts at enhancing the environment for women in the legal profession,” said Karen Hirschman, V&E Management Committee Member and Chair of the Women’s Initiative.  “We have aspired to be a leader in this area since our initiative was founded. V&E has accomplished much but there is much left to do.  We hope to continue to be a leader among law firms in the coming years.”

In 2000, Vinson & Elkins formed its Women’s Initiative, a firm-wide, comprehensive initiative designed to enhance the firm’s ability to attract, retain, and advance the best and brightest female legal talent.  The Women’s Initiative operates under the guidance and direction of the Women’s Initiative Advisory Board, a distinguished group of clients and community members who are leaders in their own companies on issues relating to the advancement of women. 

“It is very gratifying to see Vinson & Elkins acknowledged in this way by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers,” said Cathy Lamboley, Chair of the Women’s Initiative Advisory Board and former General Counsel for Shell Oil. “As chair of the Women’s Initiative Advisory Board since its inception, I know that V&E has been very focused on the retention and advancement of women.  It has been exciting to be a part of the change and I know that the firm has great ambitions for its current and future programs.”

In the eight years since its inception, the Women’s Initiative has successfully implemented several innovative programs that benefit both men and women, such as formal mentoring programs for new and mid-level associates and new partners, and the development of written skill development criteria for junior, mid, and senior level associates.  Three unique programs are the firm’s Drop-In program, Maternity Mentoring and Phase-In. 

The Drop-In Program is an outreach initiative designed to encourage communication between our female attorneys and firm leadership about the performance and focus of the Women’s Initiative. Approximately every six months, a member of the Women’s Career Development Council (WCDC), a group comprised of firm partners and associates charged with implementing the Women’s Initiative, meets with female attorneys in the firm to discuss her ideas, opinions, and concerns. 

The Maternity Mentoring program provides women with the resources they need to successfully and confidently make the transition to maternity leave and back to the firm.  If she chooses, a mother-to-be is paired with a mentor, a female partner or counsel who serves as a sounding board and a guide on such issues as preparing to go on maternity leave, whether to work from home during leave and assistance with how to do that, what work arrangement to pursue upon returning to work, and re-entering the practice after returning from leave. 

Lastly, the Phase-In program allows an associate who is returning from paid maternity leave to gradually phase back in to a full-time schedule for the first three months after maternity leave.  At the end of the phase-in program the associate then either rejoins the firm full-time or pursues a flexible work arrangement tailored to suit her specific needs.

These programs as well as the others the firm has implemented, are all designed to provide tools to V&E’s women lawyers that will allow them to develop thriving practices, become excellent lawyers, and, at the same time, have fulfilling personal lives.

This is the second year that Working Mother has partnered with Flex-Time Lawyers to publish the “Best Law Firms for Women.” Only firms with more than 50 lawyers were eligible to apply. This year, more than 115 firms responded to the survey.  V&E and the other honorees will be recognized at a luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental in New York on September 15.

For more information and to view the Working Mother website, please follow this link.

For more information, please contact Karen Hirschman at 214.220.7795 or via e-mail at khirschman@velaw.com.  You may also contact Serena Ross, attorney initiatives director, at 713.758.2292 or via e-mail at sross@velaw.com or Mark Curriden, V&E's Director of Communications at 214.220.7879 or via e-mail at mcurriden@velaw.com.